Pick: Los Angeles Angels
Mmm…something smells fishy here. The Washington Nationals are division leaders and hold the second best record in the NL. Why would they be so lightly favored against the Angels? A team clawing for a wildcard spot. Vegas is trying to tell us something and I’m all ears. After pitching so reliably in the 2017 World Baseball Classic for the U.S., Tanner Roark has followed his performance up with a sub par showing in the regular season for the Nationals; I think those struggles continue. Washington falters without their star, Bryce Harper, in the lineup as Mike Trout and the Angels pull off the upset in this weeks #BPS opener.
Pick: Miami Marlins
Giancarlo Stanton is HAWT HAWT HAWT! The All-Star has blasted 6 homeruns in his last 6 games and has shown no sign of slowing down.This afternoon, he gets to test his hot streak against the human baseball tee, Matt Cain. My guess? Stanton blows up the Marlinator out in left field with constant moon shots as he puts both Matt Cain and the San Francisco Giants in his back pocket. Marlins win this one as they continue to sneakly climb up the playoff ranks.
Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates
This one’s tough… Both pitcher’s are reliable, and neither offense has the edge over the other so in order to pick a winner, we’re gunna have to go Billy Beane, Moneyball on this one (for those of you who didn’t pick up on that reference, it means we’re going to use expanded analytics). Using my high, indepth knowledge of baseball stats, aka a simple Google search, I was able to find the following team batting averages against each pitcher:
Brewers Team BA against Cole: .148
Pirates Team BA against Nelson: .288
The numbers tell it all. Add this stat for Gerrit Cole along with his impressive past 4 game stretch (wins in 3 of his last 4 starts), and we’ve found ourselves a winner. Cole holds strong; Pirates win in a dog fight.
Pick: Kansas City Royals
Kansas City is coming off a tough loss last night. The Royals are in the thick of an incredibly competitive wildcard race in the AL, and cannot sacrifice another loss against a basement dweller team like the A’s. This is a must win for KC as they go up against a favorable pitcher in Paul Blackburn. Blackburn is prone to giving up hits (surrendering nearly 8 per 6 innings a game over his last 3 starts), and is due for a blowup; that Oakland defense can’t hold on forever. Kansas City smells blood in the water. Expect the Royals to attack quickly and lock up the W in this afternoon’s matchup.
Pick: Baltimore Orioles
Oh Ubaldo… Every time the righty’s name comes up on my tracker I cringe. Ubaldo Jimenez has been the model of inconsistency this year for pitchers and can be the dynamite, just as much as the key to a Baltimore win or loss; but I LOVE the Orioles chances today even with Jimenez on the mound. With ace righty, James Paxton sidelined with an injury, the Mariners have no choice but to place Marco Gonzales, a relief pitcher from AAA, on the rubber for today’s matchup. Manny Machado, Adam Jones, and the rest of the Baltimore Orioles bats should be salivating at this opportunity as Marco has been nothing but hot garbage over his 3 outings with Seattle. Opposing batters are seeing his pitches like beach balls, blasting everything the rookie throws to the moon and back. Bring your gloves ladies and gentleman. I have a feeling there will be quite a few souvenirs sent to the bleachers this afternoon. Baltimore wins it.
Pick: Philadelphia Phillies
Sheesh…what a matchup; two of baseball’s finest square off in today’s #BPS finale... Nothing about this game translates to good baseball: bad pitching, bad batting, bad teams. BUT, for some reason, the Phillies seem to play best when the sun’s at its highest. Nearly half of Philadelphia’s wins this season have come during day games (21 of 43). For some reason, Pete Mackanin and the boys love themselves a good afternoon game; and who am I to question that? Work in the day, party at night. I’m going with the Fightin’ Phils on this one in the beautiful San Diego sun.